A review by nclcaitlin
Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu

2.25

Enemies to lovers, celestial gods, magick, a doomed love prophecy. This will definitely be popular, but it wasn’t for me. 

For fans of The Book of Azrael and The Serpent and the Wings of Night. 

Elara is the Queen of Asteria following her parents death by her realm’s celestial god - the King of Stars following a doomed prophecy - Elara will in love with the King of Stars, and it will kill them both.

Before she is killed herself, she is kidnapped by her enemy kingdom - to use her as a weapon to kill a Star.

The Lion of Helios, Prince Lorenzo, must dive past her shadows to unlock her true magick.

’You know the most dangerous kind of villain?' she whispered. 'A woman with nothing left to lose.'

Personally, there were too many cringy moments. A seduction competition ball scene, way too many thigh slit gold gowns, seeing each others’ worst nightmares, ‘good girl’, ‘you can take orders’, sex scenes at critical moments….

I think this will be very popular for these very things, but it really didn’t work for me. 

Learning to trust, dark past and secrets, hidden trauma, slow burn, a hint of love triangle at the start… yep, there is a lot of troupes for people to love!

’Because Elara, I may be a monster, but you make me want to be a saint.'

The celestials are listed at the start with what they are known for (war, seduction, etc), but I acknowledge learning the distinctions may be overwhelming. 

Just because it didn’t work for me, I am sure it will find its right romantasy ‘burn the world down’ audience. 

Thank you to Viking Books for the physical arc in exchange for a review!